JOSE MOURINHO EXCLUSIVE
Chelsea would have won Champs Lge if I'd stayed
JOSE MOURINHO does not do self-doubt - which is why he's convinced Chelsea would have been European champions if he had stayed at Stamford Bridge.
And that's a cocksure belief which is certain to echo around Old Trafford today as Manchester United and Chelsea replay last May's epic Champions League final, this time with domestic points at stake.
All Blues fans, many neutrals and maybe even a few United supporters will think the outcome in Moscow may well have been different if it had been Mourinho in charge of Chelsea.
They will remember how the 'Special One' dominated English football in his three years, plundering two league titles, an FA Cup and two Carling Cups.
This weekend at Inter Milan's training camp, the man had the trademark sparkle in his eye as he mused on what might have been if his love affair with Chelsea had not been dramatically cut short on September 20, 2007.
To be fair to Mourinho, he did not have Moscow in mind as he discussed winning the trophy that's become the Holy Grail to Chelsea's (still) billionaire boss Roman Abramovich - just that he would have won it sooner or later and probably sooner!
Mourinho said: "While I was at Chelsea we did everything but win the Champions League. We won all the other big, big trophies. There was the first League title for Chelsea in 50 years and the next year we were champions again.
"We won the first FA Cup at the new Wembley, beating Sir Alex Ferguson and Manchester United. And two Carling Cups.
"So we'd won absolutely everything apart from the Champions League. But people always want more - and at Chelsea that was the Champions League. I would have won it with Chelsea.
"My contract was until 2011, so I would have been there for seven years. It's enough time.
"And don't forget that as well as winning all those trophies in England, we got to two Champions League semi-finals in my three years.
"So we were going in that direction. We were very close. Then Chelsea decided to make a change and suddenly it was over. But I don't see it as unfinished business and I don't dwell on it. I had three great years at Chelsea.
"It was a special moment for me there, there was a special feeling and I had a passion for that club - I still do. I am proud I have left a legacy there that will survive for a long, long time. And I don't regret anything."
Typical Jose but he may just suffer pangs of regret today as he makes what he admits will be an emotional return to England for the first time since his shock departure.
Today, Mourinho will simply be just one more spellbound spectator as his former club take on the Reds in a top-of-the-table tussle.
The bravado of the man tells you he's looking forward to seeing old friends and a glass of red with Sir Alex - but that the main reason for the trip is to prepare for Inter's Champions League meeting with United next month.
"I go to Old Trafford, where I had some great moments. I go to a Chelsea game where for sure I will find in the stands people that I love and people that I know have a great feeling with me. But my focus is on United and my preparations to meet them."
You sense the occasion and emotion of it all will get to him and re-open old wounds as well as bring back a host of memories.
But don't think it will be daggers drawn if he sees the man who sacked him. "My relationship with Roman is fantastic," Mourinho said.
"Everything is perfect. He's very friendly and I'm so pleased we managed to maintain relations.
"Human relationships are very important, that's why I am very, very happy that everything has remained so amicable.
"It was hard to leave Chelsea, hard to live without Chelsea but it was better ending it the way we did than going on for two to three more months and falling out for ever. It was better for me, better for him, better for everybody.
Ruthless
"We still talk and text each other - but we don't talk about football all that much. We talk about this and that, whatever is happening with us.
"I don't ask his opinion about my professional situation and he doesn't ask me for advice with Chelsea."
Mourinho was certainly quick to defend his friend, even amid concerns about the current Blues boss Luiz Felipe Scolari, who is under mounting pressure after a disappointing run.
But Mourinho maintained: "Roman is not ruthless. That's so wrong. Yes, there have been different managers but that's football.
"Claudio Ranieri had his period there, then they decided to change. For three-and-a-half years I did my job there professionally.
"But they decided to change. They paid me and I was gone and I have never been back. Not yet.
Strong
"Avram Grant took over, even though he had only been at the club for a few months. He got the money, he got the job but he did nothing, so he was gone as well. That's what running a club is all about - making decisions, big decisions.
"Look at (owner) Massimo Moratti here at Inter. He is a champion with Roberto Mancini but still decided to make a change. That's why I am here now and I am really enjoying it."
Mourinho and Abramovich were in touch only last week to wish each other a happy New Year. And that's how Mourinho knows the Russian's own passion for Chelsea still burns as strong.
He's heard the ill-informed rumours that Abramovich has lost interest in the club and is cutting back dramatically after losing billions in the recession.
But the Portuguese says running Chelsea as a business was always the plan. Mourinho added: "Roman is as committed to the club as ever.
Pressure
"Maybe he is not spending the same amount of money as before but that was always our aim for Chelsea.
"That's the direction we were already taking. I remember when I was talking with Peter Kenyon preparing for that last season. It was the first time that Chelsea's transfer income had been bigger than spending. We had sold Arjen Robben to Real Madrid for £24m and also Glen Johnson and Lassana Diarra.
"We took in Steve Sidwell, Claudio Pizarro, Tal Ben Haim and Alex all for free, so we didn't spend much."
Mourinho is backing the Blues to rebound to winning ways this season. He believes Scolari has the bottle and the background to be a success.
Mourinho added: "I am sure he is ready for the pressure that comes with being in charge of Chelsea. I read recently that he had said 'real pressure' was when he was coach of Brazil.
"He's right. I know the passion for football in Brazil and the pressure there. If Scolari has coped with that he can cope at Chelsea.
"That's why I believe at the end of the season he will be picking up a big trophy."
This article has 40 comments
'Great Grant' is very believable because he is factually accurate in his comparsions of the self-styled 'Special One' and Avram Grant. And I would add that Mourinho inherited a vey good team from Claudio Ranieri too! Who is to say that Ranieri could not have achieved more than Mourinho, if he was given the 7 long years Mourinho has said he needed.
And as regards Syler's "Mourinho for Manchester United", that'll be the day! Manchester United are certainly astute enough and would never touch Mourinho with a barge pole.
By vfc correia. Posted January 14 2009 at 12:26 PM.
JOSE IS A GREAT COACH AND AND A VERY INTELLIGENT MAN HE SAYS EVERYTHING AT THE RIGHT TIME INCLUDING PRAISES AND CRITISISM TO OTHER COACHES AND OWNERS OF CLUBS
I WOULD LIKE TO WATCH A FOOTBALL MATCH BETWEEN 16 PLAYERS CHOSEN BY JOSE AND 16 BY SIR ALEX BUT THEIR SHOULD PICK LIKE IN SCHOOL DAYS ( I PICK NOW YOU PICK NEXT AND SO ON ) A GOOD MIXTURE OF ALL THE GREAT PLAYERS IN THE WORLD.
By MANNY. Posted January 13 2009 at 6:20 PM.
I think Mourinho's experience, knowledge of the game, his coaching tactics and manegement, cold expressions, arrogance and fashion style make him the best coach in Europe these days. He doesn't need to be talking about how good he is, we just have to see of what he has accomplished, he has won all the big trophies with different teams, he knows how to manage the media and fans, he has love for the game, commitment, and love for the color of his teams. I think Mourinho will go back to coach in England and he will succed again, and later on in his career he will be coaching Portugal National Team. Anyone in disagreement of what I'm saying may don't know much about the game... I remember singing "La Donna E Mobile" song with a lyrics changed to "Jose Mourinho... Jose Mourihno... Jose Mourinho....." at Stamford Bridge!!! Love those years.
By Alex Salmon. Posted January 13 2009 at 5:53 PM.
JOSE MOURINHO WILL BE MAN UTD MANAGER AFTER SIR ALEX!! JOSE MOURINHO RULES!! MAN UTD WILL BE THE GREATEST CLUB UNDER JOSE MOURINHO AFTER SIR ALEX.....
By Sylar. Posted January 13 2009 at 3:25 AM.
jose mourinho, has proof to every one that he believe in himself, when we talk about football managing,he has done it in chelsea, porto,now inter,. we need to apreciate people, keep on the good work mourinho...
By mr alexander. Posted January 12 2009 at 7:55 PM.
To those bloggers who compare jose time in chelsea with mediocres and opportunists like av ram g rant,my question is that if he was that good,why has no club,even in the other smaller european leagues offered him a job inspite of having taken chelsea to the final of the champions league.Or is it not aan irony that his assistant in chelsea "hank tet cate" is now coaching a champions league team"fernabache" in turkey.check ur records while it was true that benitex had upper hand over chelsea twice in the CL,he never was able to beat maurinho in premiership or FA matches.have u forgoten that we beat liverpool home and away in maurinhos first season.
By fbi. Posted January 12 2009 at 5:20 PM.
jose Mourinho, there is none like you in terms of coaching. you are the real McCoy. you achievements speak for itself. We want you back asap because without you, our hearts would be broken. Look at the way Man U destroyed us. i really wished he stayed.
By leo. Posted January 12 2009 at 3:09 PM.
avram grant was actually very good. when he took over, chelsea had the same points as Man U. But Man U had an exceptional season in the 2nd half. And Grant was without a lot of key players for African Cup + Injuries. He still managed to be sooo close to Man U in every front. Also, he did not spend like Morinho. He had to stick with the team he had and they were in bad shape when he took over. So, a big hand to him. And for Morinho, he doesnt deserve all the credit. Sure he is good. But if i am given all the money i want, even i can creat a team that can win trophies.
By great grant. Posted January 12 2009 at 11:19 AM.
I am a portuguese man and I have big pride in José MOurinho. My country love him. José is a fantastic managar and a great men. Roman made a big big mistake. Chelsea without José is nothing.
By Nuno Almeida . Posted January 12 2009 at 9:48 AM.
Mourinho built Chelsea but Avram Grant and Peter Kenyon destroyed the good work done by Mourinho their unnecessary hatred/jelous they have for Mourinho. So either anybody like it or not Chelsea can never achieve anything with Mr. Big Phil because he did not simply understand the system of English football, hence the SEPECIAL ONE remain only option to be begged and called back to Chelsea if Chelsea want to really win any trophy in future bcos the present Chelsea squad are capable to every trophy if they have good coach like Mourinho.
By Gani Tapha. Posted January 12 2009 at 5:45 AM.
Mou, as they call him in Spain, is simply the best. From his times as a translator for Bobby Robson with Porto and, later, with Barcelona, Mou has shown that he eats, drinks and sweats football. Does anyone remember what he did with Leiria, a team that he managed prior to becoming Porto's manager? Or what he did with Benfica for a short period he coached them? He evens controls his famous arrogance as a great shield for his players. Mou will be remembered for centuries.
By Bill Jones. Posted January 12 2009 at 3:46 AM.
Yeah wake up everyone, Chelsea were at their very best when Mr M was at the helm.... Where are we going now?? 3-0 to Man Utd, oh dear what is going on?? Never did we suffer such a defeat when Jose was boss.
By MICHELLE. Posted January 12 2009 at 2:03 AM.
Jose mourinho is the best manager, He won everything with Porto, chelsea and He's in the right direction with Inter. Jose is a very tough manager, very discipline and Jose is genious, so it's better to acknowledge that " jose is LEGENDARY", PARABENS JOSE,,,,,, TIMOR LESTE
By gilson. Posted January 12 2009 at 1:45 AM.
Jose mourinho is the best manager, He won everything with Porto, chelsea and He's in the right direction with Inter. Jose is a very tough manager, very discipline and Jose is genious, so it's better to acknowledge that " jose is LEGENDARY",
By gilson. Posted January 12 2009 at 1:44 AM.
Excellent article!! As a compatriot of Mourinho who has followed his career from his time in Barcelona I am of course very proud of his achievements. I am absolutely sure that with time and his devotion to Chelsea and "his players" he would have won the Champions. I wonder in which club in England he will end - an intriguing thought...M.deMattos,Lisbon Portugal
By Miguel deMattos. Posted January 11 2009 at 11:58 PM.
the answers obvious,mourinho must come back to chelsea! roman wake up!
By kevan lamptey. Posted January 11 2009 at 11:44 PM.
Grant did in one season what Mourinho failed to do in three – get to a Champions League Final.
Mourinho must have been quietly happy when Terry missed that penalty, because it now allows him an opportunity to belittle Grant's achievement. But the record still shows Grant as the only manager to take Chelsea to a Champions League Final.
By Sir Cecil. Posted January 11 2009 at 10:55 PM.
To the person who said Chelsea outfoxed Liverpool, Avram Grant didnt outfox my Liverpool, that S.O.B Risse!!!! gave Chelsea the biggest present ever. we were deflated after that own goal. All our belief was sucked out of us. Why do you think Risse is not at Liverpool anymore? Rafa , Liverpool and many of us fans ..hate that S.O.B Risse!!
By Sidny. Posted January 11 2009 at 4:29 PM.
jose mourinho next manchester united manager
By rosco. Posted January 11 2009 at 3:16 PM.
Mourinho is good but he failed too many times in the champions league. Also he spend a lot more money than anyone else at the club. I believe that he talks a lot and he is too arrogant and his teams are boring.
By Antonio. Posted January 11 2009 at 1:42 PM.
Jose is the best manager i hav seen in years,in his time chelsea was always the team to beat and when he left sir Alex was the benefictor as he has won everything - come back jose we miss u at chelsea
By Albert john. Posted January 11 2009 at 11:30 AM.
It all went wrong when Jose mourinho left Chelsea , you got it wrong Roman.
By Andy. Posted January 11 2009 at 11:18 AM.
Apologies Curtis, that comment was meant to address Samantha below you's point.
By Mike. Posted January 11 2009 at 10:43 AM.
Jose is adding different tactics to his football knowledge by managing in different countries. I read that he wants to coach in Spain and obviously wants to coach Portugal at some stage. When he returns to the Premier League he will be an even better manager than before. As a Chelsea supporter I hope Roman can see this and that he returns as our coach. His comments on Chelsea after leaving us have always shown his affection for the club. I hope he wins many cups and trophies for Inter, I hope he wins many cups and trophies for any team he coaches in Spain, I hope he wins many cups and trophies for Portugal, ...but most of all when he is ready I hope he comes home to Chelsea.
By treetops. Posted January 11 2009 at 10:41 AM.
Curtis Hanson, you're forgetting Mourinho won it with Porto with very little money.
By Mike. Posted January 11 2009 at 10:19 AM.
Any team would have won the premiership and champions league with the money he had to spend.
Chelsea will only be known as the club that bought the league lol....some history.
By Sue. Posted January 11 2009 at 10:04 AM.
Credit must go to Avram Grant - he outfoxed Rafa Benitez in the semi final, his Chelsea team scored goals against Liverpool to reach the final - something that we failed to do in both 2005 and 2007 under Mourinho.
Having saying that though, the board should never have sacked Jose in the first place and their interference in 2006/2007 cost Chelsea and allowed Man Utd to get back on top.
By Jamie. Posted January 11 2009 at 9:52 AM.
I reckon I could have a good shot at winning the champions league with half a billion quid to spend.
Besides, Avram Grant was only a lick of paint away from doing what Mourinho couldn't.
By James. Posted January 11 2009 at 8:58 AM.
I see Roman pleading wit Jose to come back in July Phil will head back to be a country coach cos thats wat he good @ he's best is in 4week tournament games not 9months.......Jose Is The Best Thing Yet ....... wonder wat will happen in the UCL when we (Chelsea) Play Inter..lol
By Curtis Hanson. Posted January 11 2009 at 8:34 AM.
Bitter little man. He couldn't win it when he had the only billionaire owner spending £200million a year on players which is unheard of before or since then, so I doubt he could win it now, nor can he with Inter Milan!
By Samantha. Posted January 11 2009 at 7:33 AM.
During ur era at chelsea,they were strong n one of the best team in the world.After he left,the are slowly going down espically this season.Roman is hungry for trophy by replaced him with the wrong man.Grant is **** ****.JOSE MOURINHO IS THE BEST
By Dazly. Posted January 11 2009 at 5:15 AM.
Jose is one of the best manager.Roman had made the big mistake when let him quited.As man utd fan,i love 2 c u replace alex when he step down.And hopefully man city or LIVERPOOL won't get u
By Tutie khairul niza. Posted January 11 2009 at 2:43 AM.
For me, this guy Mourinho is the best manager in Europe for the Last ten years.He has won everything in Europe with guile and smart thinking ahead of all managers. He did it in Portugal, came to England and climbing high In Spain.
Phil Scolari has done it in two or three Countries and he is here with Chelsea, which without the faintest shadow of doubt, Chelsea will win big games big and trophies starting from 11th January 2009.
Fergie on the other hand, is the manager who criminally achieves success and pathetically discredits the Premier League. He's been here for donkey years and can't leave on his own, mummy's boy.He needs to travels and win things and not stay here, get acquainted with referees and dishonestly manipulates match officials and win games. Fergie is a joke!!
By Kofi Koranteng. Posted January 11 2009 at 2:31 AM.
haha looks like jose is looking for a escape root back in the premier league the pressure has allready got to him in italy where inter milan will settle for nothing less than the champions league if i remember rightly rafa benitez outfoxed him twice and made him luck clueless and before some clown tells me he won it at porto yes he did but there was no pressure to win its a small club amongst the big clubs like man utd,liverpool,milan,madrid and many other clubs he spent all that money and it avram grant to get to the final and nearly win it had john terry not bottled it when takeing the pen keep dreaming little man lol
By sally. Posted January 11 2009 at 1:33 AM.
Oh we as MAN U fans love you Jose..enjoy the wine and get used to the atmosphere again as we want you to succeed with us after Fergie has gone upstairs.. you can carry on the great red wine traditions.....
By Howie Thomas. Posted January 11 2009 at 1:19 AM.
"MOURINHO: Blues would of ruled Europe with me"
HAVE!
Deary me.
By James. Posted January 11 2009 at 12:52 AM.
Jose comes back with a bang. Welcome back. We have missed that. You say things as they are. You were the best thing at Chelsea. You will always be remembered for your outspokeness.
By snappie. Posted January 11 2009 at 1:03 AM.
Once you drop an egg, its gone forever you cant shape it back!!!
By Ola Ray. Posted January 11 2009 at 12:38 AM.
I'm sorry last time I checked Avram Grant & co guided Chelsea from the group stage & knockout round to the final not Mourinho.
By Matt . Posted January 11 2009 at 12:46 AM.
there's one word for jose mourinho, LEGENDARY. He's the best thing that ever happened to Chelsea. i dont thing scolari can be as successful as mourinho. He's drop so many points where we should have won, embarassin defetas.... really wished he stayed.
By Paddy. Posted January 11 2009 at 12:16 AM.